The Rise of Singapore

Singapore may be geographically small but it has big plans for its screen industry, including making good use of its co-production treaty with Australia. Miguel Gonzalez reports.

Next month, the screen industry’s eyes will be in Singapore, as the island nation hosts its first market/conference/ trade and technology exhibition, simply called ScreenSingapore.

It is part of the country’s plan to become a regional media hub. The local media industry employs 60,000 people, with about a 30 production companies, 20 animation studios and a dozen post-production houses. Plans for growth include the development of Mediapolis @ one-north – a 19-hectare innovation and R&D complex that by 2020, will host soundstages, digital production and broadcast facilities.

The country’s Media Development Authority launched the blueprint for the nation’s media industries in 2009. The Media Fusion Plan aims to make Singapore “the trusted global capital for New Asia Media” by strengthening the media infrastructure and supporting the creation of innovative content with global appeal.